CANADA

The world’s second-largest country by surface but relatively small in terms of population, Canada punches above its weight in economic terms.

A federation of former British colonies, Canada follows the British pattern of parliamentary democracy, and the UK monarch is head of state. Ties with the US are now vital, especially in terms of trade, but Canada often goes its own way.

Both English and French enjoy official status, and mainly French-speaking Quebec – where pressure for full sovereignty has abated in recent years – has wide-ranging cultural autonomy. Indigenous peoples make up around 4% of the population.

Canada is one of the world’s top trading nations – and one of its richest. Alongside a dominant service sector, Canada also has vast oil reserves and is a major exporter of energy, food, and minerals.

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LEADERS

Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by a governor general

Prime minister: Justin Trudeau

Justin Trudeau – son of Pierre Trudeau, who dominated Canadian politics in the 1970s – won a resounding election victory for his Liberal Party in October 2015, ending the nine years of Conservative government under Stephen Harper.

After a closely fought three-way contest with the Conservatives and centre-left New Democrats, the Liberals leapt from the humiliating third place they won at the 2011 election to gain a surprise overall majority in parliament.

Mr Trudeau campaigned on promises to shift some of the tax burden from middle-income earners to the richest Canadians, and run a budget deficit to allow spending on infrastructure and boosting growth.

MEDIA

Canada has a long history of public broadcasting. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) was set up in the 1930s in response to the growing influence of American radio.

Broadcasting in French and English, the CBC runs four radio networks, two national TV channels, TV and radio services for indigenous peoples in the north, and Radio Canada International.

The Canadian media are free to present a wide range of views and opinions. Quotas exist for broadcasts of Canadian material.

TIMELINE

1583 – Newfoundland becomes England’s first overseas colony.

1627 – Company of New France established to govern and exploit “New France” – France’s North American colonies.

1763 – Under the Treaty of Paris, Britain acquires all French colonies east of the Mississippi, including New France, which becomes the colony of Quebec.

1867 – British North America Act unites Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in the Dominion of Canada.